Package

Abstract

The invention provides a process for the manufacture of sachets ( 1 ) in a plurality of lanes in a form fill and seal machine, one or more edges of said sachets comprising non-linear profiles ( 7 ) over at least 10% of the length of the edge, said sachets manufactured by a process comprising: (i) sealing two films ( 9,10 ) in the longitudinal direction to form a plurality of tubes parallel to each other; (ii) sealing the tubes along one end; (iii) filling the tubes with the desired material; (iv) sealing the tubes at the second end to form a plurality of sachets ( 1 ), and (v) punching out portions ( 8 ) of the sealed edges of the sachets to define the non-linear edges ( 7 ).

1 . A process for the manufacture of sachets in a plurality of lanes in a form fill and seal machine, one or more edges of said sachets comprising non-linear profiles over at least 10% of the length of the edge, said sachets manufactured by a process comprising:
 (i) sealing two films in the longitudinal direction to form a plurality of tubes parallel to each other;   (ii) sealing the tubes along one end;   (iii) filling the tubes with the desired material;   (iv) sealing the tubes at the second end to form a plurality of sachets, and   (v) punching out portions of the sealed edges of the sachets to define the non-linear edges.   
   
   
       2 . A process according to  claim 1  wherein said non-linear profiles are curved profiles 
   
   
       3 . A process according to  claim 1  wherein said non-linear profile is along the longitudinal edge of said sachets. 
   
   
       4 . A process according to  claim 1  wherein said non-linear profile comprises at least 30% of the length of said edge. 
   
   
       5 . A process according to  claim 4  wherein said non-linear profile comprises at least 60% of the length of said edge. 
   
   
       6 . A process according to  claim 5  wherein said non-linear profile comprises at least 90% of the length of said edge. 
   
   
       7 . A process according to  claim 1  wherein tension is maintained on said films using a mechanically driven pull assembly. 
   
   
       8 . A process according to  claim 1  wherein said sachets in a plurality of lanes are perforated along the longitudinal edges. 
   
   
       9 . A process according to  claim 1  wherein said sachets in a plurality of lanes are perforated along the transverse edges. 
   
   
       10 . A process according to  claim 1  wherein said films are heat sealed. 
   
   
       11 . A process according to  claim 1  wherein punching is carried out in a punching station that comprises of a punch plate having punches on one side of the film and a die plate on the other side of the film which are correspondingly aligned. 
   
   
       12 . A process according to  claim 1  wherein said portions are removed using an air blow means and/or a suction means.